ALL-COMIC.COM got the chance to talk with the creators of the hit horror comic Glitterbomb, just in time for the release of Volume One: “Red Carpet”. Last time, we spoke with writer and co-creator Jim Zub. In part two we have a chat with newcomer and artist extraordinaire Djibril Morissette-Phan!
ALL-COMIC.COM: Thanks for doing this interview, Djibril! Glitterbomb is a fantastic comic. Could you tell us a little about volume one in your own words?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: Volume one tells the story of Farrah Durante, an out of work middle-actress actress trying to navigate the very troubled sea that is Hollywood. The fears and insecurities controlling her life will end up manifesting themselves in a supernatural way, dragging her on a path of violent revenge against the fame culture that consumed her.
Have you always been a comic book fan and how did you first start reading them?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: Since my mother tongue is French, I was first exposed to Franco-Belgian comics. I was a big fan of Gotlib growing up. It was with his work that I really had my first grasp at the concept of style. My interest for American comics began a lot later in my life, maybe around sixteen or seventeen years old, right when I was starting animation school here in Montreal. I think the book that made me fall in love with that side of the industry was American Vampire from Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque. The artwork really struck me and made me want to be a part of that industry.
You started making my comics professionally when you were 19 and then landed Glitterbomb just a short time later. I have to ask you what every other young, aspiring comic artist wants to know. How the heck did you get so good so soon? Your style makes you seem like a seasoned pro already, so what’s your secret?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: Well thanks! There is no secret unfortunately, at least that I’m aware of. It is only years of practice. I mean, I’ve always been drawing, for as long as I can remember, it has always been my favorite thing to do. More than that, I guess it has always been some sort of safe-space, somewhere I was confident in my skills. I guess, if I had to put my finger on one specific thing that helped me progress, I’d point to my ability to not be emotionally attached to the work I produce, meaning that I value my skill a lot more than the work itself, which allows me to be more critical towards it and therefore improve faster.
How did you meet your co-collaborator Jim Zub, and more importantly how did you come to make a book together? What has that team effort been like for you?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: I met Jim at Montreal Comiccon in 2015 (if I’m not mistaken) through Marguerite Sauvage, a common friend of ours, and an amazing artist. When Jim saw my portfolio, I guess he liked it a lot, at least enough to ask me if I wanted to do a book with him, and that’s how Glitterbomb came to be. I have to say, I could not have had a better collaborator for my first big comic project. I feel like Jim is a teacher by nature so he really guided me well all throughout the process and that made my experience so much more formative.
Glitterbomb is the perfect horror comic. Is this the type of book you want to be making full time, or do you have interests in other types of comics? What would your dream gig be?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: I don’t really have a particular interest for any specific genre or even medium. The best way I could describe my inclinations would be with the word diversity. I just love going from one thing to the other since that’s the most efficient way for me to develop my own artistic voice. Most artists that I look up to have a voice, in my opinion that transcends their medium whether it be music, film, comics or whatever. So to answer your question, I’d say my dream would not be a specific gig, but rather to have the opportunity to try my hand at as many different gigs as possible.
Since you were part of the development process for Glitterbomb do you think you’d ever want to write comics yourself? Perhaps you already are…?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: I’m actually working on a personal project that I write and draw. I have yet to announce it officially but it should come out sometime in 2017, probably for free in digital form. It’s my first time writing anything substantial and I have to say, it is a lot scarier than I thought. I feel like I’m putting myself out there a lot more than when I draw since people will be judging me on what I think rather than on my skills. But I’m glad I’m doing it because it totally gave me a new level of respect and appreciation for Jim and every other writer.
Whether it’s an action scene or a quieter moment, your pages have a considered design quality to them. What’s your favorite part of the process when illustrating Glitterbomb? What do you like to draw the most?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: Coming up with page design and breaking down the storytelling is always fun and is the most demanding part of the process. But my favorite part of it is specifically character acting. I really feel like that’s where I can make people fall in love with a character, and where I can be very nuanced and subtle. Of course, I’m not saying I totally nail it every time and I’m the best at it, it’s actually quite the opposite. I feel like that’s where I have the most room to improve since it can be so nuanced and subtle.
When can we expect to see more Glitterbomb and are you working on anything in the meantime?
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: We are planning to have the second arc ready for Fall 2017. In the meantime, I’m pursuing a philosophy major here in Montreal, while continuing to work in comics. I’m doing some work over at Marvel and I’m working on my personal project, so people can keep an eye open for that.
Congratulations on your success, and good luck, not that you need it. How can fans follow your work online and get updates on projects
DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN: If people want to keep up to date, they can follow me on twitter @DjibrilMP or on facebook at www.facebook.com/djibmp/.
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